It wasn’t easy to be a princess. Vesna’s body was marked with scars and bruises, both old and fresh. For as long as she could remember, her life had been one strain of excruciating training and long hunts in the steppe that could last for days. All of it was brought down upon her to serve one purpose only: to hone her will and spirit, preparing her for the Trial.

She knew that one day she would lead the Tayen tribe. Or she might lead, if she only survived the Trial. Not everyone did. Her sister did not, for that matter. Vesna could still remember her sister's remains being carried into the village: a pile of coals and burnt bones. The wrath of Agayu was relentless, even from a freshly hatched one.

When the smoke rose to the sky and the Black Mountain awakened again, it was time. The whole tribe bid her farewell as she slowly rode out of the village to meet her destiny. But the moment she could no longer be seen, she swiftly turned her horse from the road to the Black Mountain and headed towards the city. She would have galloped if the horse wasn’t burdened with a heavy load of gold she had stolen from her family’s reserve.

Vesna did not run away from the trial. No, she was a brave girl. She was also a smart one. According to the Codex, during the Trial she only had to tame the Agayu or die trying. The Codex never mentioned doing it alone. The Codex never mentioned not hiring mages to aid the process. Truth be told, Vesna had never read it—but if no one finds out, does it even matter?

***

The shell of pitch-black darkness cracked, and Agayu opened his eyes to a world of flame. Everywhere around him was glowing magma and billowing smoke. Fire in the air, fire in the heart of Agayu. And with it, insatiable hunger. But there was nothing to consume. Or was there? Agayu’s eyes focused on the two figures standing on the side of the volcano.

***

It was worth withstanding the excruciating heat and noxious volcanic gas—to see a fire dragon hatch. But when the blazing monster emerged from the magma, Vesna's heart skipped a beat. The beast was much bigger than she had expected. Could it even be tamed with magic? She looked for the wizard she had hired to capture the hatchling and saw him running away.

The Agayu spread its wings, rising above her. Composed of flame, coal, and smoke, it didn’t look like an animal; it didn’t look like anything alive. It was just a pure, embodied cataclysm.

Could she tame it herself? Vesna drew her sword. The string of Tayen runes etched on the blade gleamed in the volcanic light, but it did not bring her any comfort.

Vesna glanced sideways at the path they had come up. One leap, and she’d slide down the gravel slope, reaching the horses before the beast could get her. She could make it. There was still a chance.

But a Tayen princess can’t run from battle. Paralyzed with fear, Vesna closed her eyes, clutching the sword high in front of her.

***

The fire’s nature is to consume everything in its way. Agayu felt nothing but joy as he fell towards the feeble creature. But then his eye caught a blink of a rune. Deep beneath his instincts, something woke up within him. An image of a master, etched into Agayu’s consciousness. The smell of a master's blood. A magical bond that had lasted for generations, binding him to serve.

***

After a moment that felt like forever, Vesna opened her eyes to the sight of the dragon sitting right next to her, calm and majestic. Agayu was tamed. She smiled.

The princess had died. Long live Chieftain Vesna.